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United States Patent |
5,136,557
|
Plawker
,   et al.
|
August 4, 1992
|
Modular watch collar
Abstract
A modular watch collar capable of multipositional use is disclosed herein.
A detachable modular base plugs into a watchband holder in a variety of
positions, and depending on the plug position, the modular base permits
the modular watch collar to be free-standing or to fit into a channel or
groove located on a wall or display at any angle. A modular sign holder
attachment plugs into the modular watch collar and is positionable at a
variety of locations thereon.
Inventors:
|
Plawker; Ilan (Englewood Cliffs, NJ);
Mendelowitz; Howard (Pomona, NY)
|
Assignee:
|
RPR Creative Marketing, Inc. (Englewood Cliffs, NJ)
|
Appl. No.:
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647069 |
Filed:
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January 29, 1991 |
Current U.S. Class: |
368/316; 248/116 |
Intern'l Class: |
G04R 037/00; A47F 007/00 |
Field of Search: |
368/10,316-317,327
248/115-116
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3312435 | Apr., 1967 | Malone | 248/115.
|
4293943 | Oct., 1981 | Avery et al. | 368/316.
|
4707146 | Nov., 1987 | Wein | 368/316.
|
Primary Examiner: Miska; Vit W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lerner; Henry R.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for displaying articles of the type adapted to be worn on a
wrist by means of a wristband, comprising
(a) a holder member adapted to support said wristband,
(b) a modular base member, and
(c) cooperating means on said holder and said base member for releasably
securing said base member to said holder member in a plurality of relative
orientations whereby said base member can be supported in a plurality of
modes while maintaining the holder member in a wristband display position.
2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cooperating means
comprise a pin on said holder member and a complementary aperture in said
base member.
3. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pin and said aperture
have substantially the same square cross section, whereby said pin is
insertable in said aperture in at least three different orientations in
order to provide, in turn, at least three different supporting modes for
the device.
4. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said holder member is C
shaped and has a leg at its lower end comprising an offset upper portion
extending diagonally downwardly and carrying said pin which is directed
back toward the holder member.
5. A device in accordance with claim 3, wherein said modular base member
comprising an elongate member having an enlarged portion at one end and a
tongue at the opposite end, the bottom surface of said tongue being
co-planar with the bottom surface of said enlarged portion, said aperture
being located in said enlarged portion.
6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said pin is receivable in
said aperture in a first orientation wherein said modular base member
extends rearwardly below the holder member to enable the device to be free
standing with said co-planar surfaces of said base member in resting
engagement on a horizontal display surface.
7. A device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said pin is receivable in
said aperture in a second orientation which is 90 degrees from said first
orientation in which said tongue extends downwardly so as to be insertable
in a horizontally extending groove and the device assumes its normal
display mode.
8. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein said pin is insertable in
said aperture in a third position 180 degrees from said first orientation
in which said tongue extends rearwardly and is adapted to be inserted in a
vertically extending groove and the device assumes its normal display
mode.
9. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein there is provided at least
one sign holder which is releasably secured to the holder member.
10. A device in accordance with claim 9, wherein said releasable securing
means comprise at least one slot on the holder and a complementary
projection on said sign holder.
11. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein there is provided at least
one sign holder which is releasably secured to the holder member.
12. A device in accordance with claim 11, wherein said releasably securing
means comprise at least one slot on the holder and a complementary
projection on said sign holder.
13. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holder member is made
of high impact ABS whereby said collar is compressible and elongatable in
order to permit deformation of said collar to accommodate a wide range of
wrist bands.
14. A device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said leg is releasably
engageable with said holder whereby a plurality of different legs are
engageable with the holder whereby to provide a plurality of different
orientations for the base member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to display devices for presenting
time-keeping wrist watches. The instant device allows a watch to be
displayed securely in a variety of positions, angles and locations without
requiring separate display devices to suit each position, angle or
location. More specifically, the instant invention provides a modular
means for adjusting the way in which a watchband collar can be set into
various display modes and further provides a modular sign holder system
which is adjustable to various positions of display.
Typical wrist watch display collars are rigid, one-piece units. Such watch
displays usually have a C-shaped or oval member for supporting a watchband
in a fixed position whose inclination is determined by a fixed base. The
rigid nature of the prior art watch display collar permits the watch to be
displayed at a single vantage point or angle from a display case or
countertop. The fixed base allows the watch display collar to be
free-standing, i.e., the base has sufficient surface area on which it can
adequately support the watch display collar in conjunction with the watch
itself.
Other typical watch displays may be positioned by inserting an integral
projecting pin into a receptacle mounted on a wall or display case. The
integral projecting pin is permanently attached at a fixed position on the
watch display. These watch displays may be mounted wherever there is a
receptacle, e.g., mounted vertically against a wall or in a display case.
The receptacles for the projecting pins are usually spaced at fixed
intervals which consequently determines the maximum number of watches in a
display. A vertical arrangement of watch displays is a convenient
space-saver in a crowded store. Thus, many watches can be displayed on an
entire wall.
Unfortunately, typical watch display collars containing a permanently fixed
integral pin are not adaptable to function as a stand-alone watch display
collar without the presence of a separate foot base to support the match
display collar and watch. Likewise, a stand alone watch display collar is
not adaptable for placement in a vertical wall display without the
presence of a pin or other attaching means. The combination of both the
attaching means and footbase at separate locations on a single watch
display is undesirable because of the added expense involved in providing
extra materials used in manufacturing such a watch display. Moreover, the
presence of needless (depending on the position) functional appendages
creates a clumsy and unsightly display package.
There thus exists a need for a watch display collar capable of supporting a
watch in free-standing manner as well as on a vertical display without
incorporating excess manufacturing material and needless unsightly
appendages. A universal watch display would eliminate multiple dies in the
manufacture of watch displays and permit adaptation to a number of
different positional displays. The instant invention provides a solution
to these problems, among others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular watch display collar which is
stable and positionable at a number of angles and is either self-standing
or otherwise positionable through modular integral support means. This is
accomplished via a detachable modular support base which attaches to a
watchband holder. The modular support base is adapted to be inserted into
a groove or channel located in a wall, countertop, or any other display
means which can be positioned at any angle relative to the ground. The
modular base may be rotated around a fixed axis on the display collar. In
a preferred embodiment, the combination of the detachable modular base and
the display collar provide three possible positions, i.e., 1)
self-standing, 2) wall, and 3) channel wherein the detachable modular base
extends, respectively, forwardly, rearwardly, and/or downwardly under the
display collar.
The instant invention also encompasses a modular sign holder which is
adapted to releasably attach to the display collar at various points. In a
preferred embodiment, the detachable sign holder is made of two separate
pieces: one framing a sign, and the other providing a base for the sign.
The instant invention thus provides a convenient, simple solution to
problems created by the necessity of using a plurality of different watch
display collars suitable for differing locations. A universal watch
display collar is provided herein which saves materials, space, and is
capable of performing several functions heretofore requiring a plurality
of watch display collars.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular collar in a self-standing mode
wherein a sign holder is attached to the lower right hand side of the
modular watch collar.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective multi-informational illustration of the
instant invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modular collar according to the instant
invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a detachable modular base according to the
instant invention.
FIG. 5 is a depiction of various positional combinations possible between a
modular collar and detachable modular base.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the instant invention wherein a detachable modular
base is attached and positioned for insertion into a channel or groove in
a wall.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the instant invention wherein a detachable modular
base is attached and positioned for downward projection into a channel or
groove.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the instant invention wherein a detachable modular
base is attached and positioned for a self-standing modular watch collar.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a sign holder.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a sign holder and its component
parts as well as a depiction of relative placement of a sign insert, all
of which is attachable to a modular watch collar.
FIG. 11 is an exploded multi-informational view of the instant invention
wherein various positions of a sign holder relative to a modular watch
collar are illustrated.
FIG. 12 is a side view of the collar illustrating its ability to be
deformed when made of Hi Impact ABS.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a modular watch collar 1 in a self-standing mode. A
modular detachable base member 14 extends in a frontward direction
relative to its position under a C-shaped watchband holder 4. A sign
holder 22 is attached to the C-shaped watchband holder 4 at the lower
righthand side thereof. In this position, the modular watch collar 1 can
be placed securely in or on top of a display case or countertop for
viewing purposes. The details of construction of holder 4, base member 14,
sign holder 21 and the manner of assembling the components to define the
modular watch collar 1 will be more fully discussed hereafter.
The self-standing modular watch collar 1 provides a stable configuration to
support a wrist watch and a prospective purchaser of the watch can easily
pick up the entire assembly and put it back down to observe the
merchandise at a distance.
FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the instant invention in
disassembled multi-combinational form. FIG. 2 also serves to illustrate
generally the versatility of the instant invention.
The C-shaped watchband holder 4 is seen to be central to the various
embodiments. A sign holder 22 can be attached in four locations, i.e.,
upper left, upper right, lower right, and lower left. The detachable
modular base 14 is shown in three possible preferred positions as each
would attach to the C-shaped watchband holder 4 by means of a footpin 8
which is insertable in footpin receiving aperture 20 in the modular base
14. In accordance with the invention, one or more sign holders 22 may be
attached at various locations on the collar 2 by insertion of sign holder
tongue 32 in one of four complementary apertures disposed in the collar 2.
The sign holder may contain signs depicting information that a merchant
would like to associate with the goods he or she is selling, i.e., model
number, price, SALE!, etc.
FIG. 3 illustrates an isolated view of a collar 2. The collar 2 is
comprised of a C-shaped watchband holder 4, a collar leg 6 to facilitate
attachment of the collar 2 to the detachable modular base member 14, a
foot pin member 8 to couple with the detachable modular base member 14,
and upper and lower sign holder member receiving slots 10 and 12,
respectively. The C-shaped watchband holder 4 is adapted so that a
watchband can fit snugly around it and remain stable. A slightly elongated
center portion along the C-shape presents a level surface to support the
back of the time-piece itself. The upper slot receptacle 10 adjacent to
the upper end of the holder 4 is adapted to receive a sign holder tongue
32 such that the sign holder 22 is mounted securely thereto. The upper
slot receptacle 10 may have a rectangular cross section and extends
through the entire width of the C-shaped watchband holder 4, thus forming
a continuous tunnel which defines openings on either side of the watchband
holder 4 which allows the sign holder tongue 32 of the sign holder 22 to
be received on either the upper left or right sides of the collar 2.
Likewise, a lower slot receptacle 12 extends adjacent the lower end of
holder 4 through the entire width of the C-shaped watchband holder 4 and
is thus capable of supportingly engaging the sign holder 22 on either the
lower left or right sides of the collar 2. It is therefore possible to
position one or more sign holders 22 in each, any, or all of the positions
which are provided.
It will be noted that providing slot receptacles 10 and 12 which extend
through the entire width of holder 4 allows attachment to the collar of
components having a part which passes through the entire slot and can then
be pinched to secure the component in position on the holder. This allows
watches with straps rather than bracelets to be held in place on the
collar.
The collar leg 6 includes an upper portion 6a which is a lateral extension
of lower end of the holder 4, a main leg portion 6b extending
perpendicularly downwardly from upper portion 6a and a footpin 8 extending
perpendicularly to the leg portion 6b and toward the holder 4. The collar
leg 6 thus projects diagonally downward from the C-shaped watchband holder
4. The footpin 8 is adapted to mate with the detachable modular base 14.
In a preferred embodiment, the footpin 8 has a rectangular cross section
presenting four perpendicular planar surfaces to provide precise
positioning when the detachable modular base 14 is engaged in the footpin
receiving aperture 20. Although the footpin 8 is shown to have a
substantially square cross section, other geometric shapes are within the
scope of the instant invention. As will be discussed below, the geometry
of the aperture 20 and footpin 8 control the functional positions of the
various insertions.
FIG. 4 illustrates a detachable modular base 14. The modular base 14 is
adapted to engage the footpin 8 of the collar 2 in a variety of
orientations to support the collar 2 in a variety of modes. The modular
base 14 comprises a footbase member 16 at one end thereof, and, at the
opposite end, collar leg mount 18 with a footpin receiving aperture 20
disposed therein, and an intermediate portion 19 whose bottom surface is
angularly related to the bottom surface of the footbase 16. The outer edge
of the footbase 16 is beveled to define a knife edge for reasons to be
more fully described hereafter.
The footpin receiving aperture 20 is adapted to tightly receive the footpin
8 which slides into, and is securely held by friction in the footpin
receiving aperture 20. When the footpin 8 is inserted into the footpin
receiving aperture 20, the detachable modular base member 14 becomes
integrally attached to the collar leg mount 18 forming a stable base which
supports the modular watch collar 1.
The footbase member 16 is adapted to provide an even distribution of the
weight of the modular watch collar 1 onto any surface it rests upon. In a
preferred embodiment, the collar leg mount 18 provides a surface which is
coplanar with the footbase member 16, so as to create a combined surface
which maximizes surface area contact of the detachable modular base 14
when the modular watch collar 1 is in the free-standing mode.
FIG. 5 illustrates the various orientations relative to the collar 2 that
the detachable modular base 14 may be placed in. In a preferred
embodiment, the detachable modular base 14 may assume three positions in
relation to the collar 2. Each position is determined by the
interconnection between the footpin receiving aperture 20 and the footpin
8 of the collar 2. The square cross sectioned footpin 8 presents four
planar surfaces to the complementary cross sectioned footpin receiving
aperture 20. The result is a complementary "lock and key" fit capable of
90.degree. rotations. The three assumable positions are (1) the footbase
16 pointing downwardly in relation to the collar 2 and as illustrated in
5A, (2) forwardly as is illustrated in 5B, and (3) backwardly as is
illustrated in 5C. Each orientation is adaptable to different display
means as needed and is further elaborated on below.
FIG. 6, is a side view of an embodiment of the invention in which the
footbase 16 is shown to point backwardly in relation to the collar 2 and
the modular watch collar 1 is thus capable of being positioned in a
channel or groove in a wall display. In this embodiment, the attachable
modular base 14 engages the footpin 8 as is illustrated in FIG. 5C, i.e.,
the footbase number 16 faces back and away underneath the collar 2. As
FIG. 5C further illustrates, the footpin receiving aperture 20 is adapted
to couple with the footpin 8 like a lock and key to provide a stable link
between the detachable modular base 14 and the collar 2. As is seen from
FIG. 6, the modular watch collar 1 is now in position for a wall channel
or groove setting mode. The backwardly pointing footbase member 16 can be
inserted into a wall display 36 within a channel or groove 38. The
detachable modular base 14 is adapted to slide in or out of the groove or
channel 38 so that the modular watch collar and watch are safely and
securely held in the display 36. The beveled edge of footbase member 16
facilitates insertion into and removal from the channel or groove. Thus,
in accordance with the invention, a series of horizontal channels or
grooves may be placed into or against a wall to provide the means by which
a display is accomplished.
In order to achieve a second position, i.e., to position the modular base
14 downwardly, the detachable modular base 14 is rotated 90.degree. in
relation to the backward or wall position shown in FIG. 6 and then
attached to the collar 2. As can be seen from FIG. 5A, the footbase member
16 is positioned downwardly below and perpendicular to the collar 2 and
the footpin receiving aperture 20 couples with the footpin 8, such that a
stable interlock is formed. FIG. 7 illustrates this mode as a side view of
the modular watch collar 1 wherein the detachable modular base member 14,
and consequently, the footbase member 16 project downwardly to be received
by a channel or groove 42 on a horizontal surface. The downward position
of the detachable modular base member 14 determines the angle of the
modular watch collar 1 which in turn determines the view of the watch held
by the collar 2.
To achieve a third position, the detachable modular base 14 may be rotated
90.degree. in relation to the downward position described above (or
180.degree. in relation to the backward wall channel position also
described above) such that the footbase member 16 extends forwardly
underneath the collar 2. As can be seen in FIG. 5B the footpin receiving
aperture 20 is capable of receiving the footpin 8 like a lock and key,
thus forming a stable self-standing base assembly to support a watch. FIG.
8 illustrates this mode as a side view of the modular watch collar 1
wherein the detachable modular base 14 is positioned to allow the modular
watch collar 1 to be free-standing. The detachable modular base 14, and
consequently, the foot base 16 project forward beneath the collar at a
centralized point such that the center of gravity is evenly distributed
over the detachable modular base 14. The free-standing watch collar 1 can
thus be placed on a surface 44 for display.
In the self-standing mode, the weight of the collar 2 and any watch
positioned thereon is distributed evenly along the detachable modular base
14. A free-standing modular watch collar 1 is convenient for a
free-standing display as well as during the actual sales process. Watches
held by the modular watch collar 1 can be taken from their display cases
and positioned along a countertop for easy viewing and handling by a
perspective customer. If the modular watch collar 1 has been held by
either of the two channel display positions as described above, it may be
removed, the detachable modular base 14 repositioned such that the modular
watch collar 1 is now free-standing, and then placed upon a display
counter for easy viewing and handling by a perspective customer.
According to the instant invention, the space between adjacent modular
watch collars 1 is not fixed and regardless of which of the three modes
the modular watch collar 1 is in, it may be moved laterally to achieve a
fuller look when stocks are low by increasing the space between each
modular watch collar 1. This is accomplished simply by sliding the
footbase member 16 along the groove, channel or countertop. If there is an
overabundance of stock, the space between each modular watch collar 1 can
be reduced to accommodate the extra stock. As above, if a watch is the
subject of an inquiry, the modular watch collar 1 supporting the watch may
be removed from the channel or groove, the detachable modular base 14
repositioned so that the modular watch collar 1 is free-standing, and then
placed down on a counter for display purposes. Keeping the watch on the
modular watch collar 1 provides a psychologically attractive display means
for the watch as opposed to simply laying the watch down on a countertop.
FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a modular sign holder 22 used in conjunction
with the modular watch collar 1. FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the sign
holder 22. A planar sign holder base member 24 couples to a detachable
frame member 26 by means of frame pins 28 which are attached to the
detachable frame member 26. The frame pins 28 couple with frame pin
receptacles 30 on the sign holder base member 24. Alternatively, the frame
pin 28 may be located on the sign holder base member 24 and the frame pin
receptacle 30 may be disposed within the detachable frame member 26. In
addition, one or more frame pins 28 and frame pin receptacles 30 may be
positioned between the sign holder base member 24 and the detachable frame
member 26. In a preferred embodiment, the sign holder base member 24 and
the detachable frame member 26 are rectangular with two diagonally located
distal frame pins 28 corresponding to two frame pin receptacles 30. The
modular sign holder 22 is adapted to mate with the collar 2 by means of a
sign holder tongue 32. Although the sign holder 22 is shown as
substantially rectangular, it is contemplated that any suitable geometric
shape is within the spirit and scope of the instant invention.
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the assembly of the collar 2 to the modular
sign holder 22 and a sign 34 that insertable into the holder 22. The
holder 22 is separable into its component parts to facilitate insertion of
a sign 34. When the sign 34 has been placed in the modular sign holder 22
and the component parts are put back together, the sign holder 22 can be
inserted by means of tongue 32 into any of the slot receptacles 10 or 12
for the sign holder tongue 22.
FIG. 11 illustrates possible positioning of the modular sign holder 22 in
relation to the collar 2. The upper slot receptacle for the sign holder
tongue 10 permits placement of the modular sign holder 22 on either or
both sides of the collar 2. Likewise, the modular sign holder 22 can be
inserted on either side of the collar 2 at the lower slot receptacle for
the sign holder tongue 12. Any number of sign holders can be used, the
maximum number being limited only by the number of slot receptacles. Thus,
in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, four signs can be inserted on
the collar 2. As previously noted, the through slot or tunnel can be used
to secure to the collar components provided with a projection which
extends through the entire slot and is thereafter pinched so as to be
secured into position on the holder.
Watch collar 1 is preferably made of plastic which is molded into the
requisite shape. In a preferred embodiment, the plastic used is Hi Impact
ABS which allows holder 4 to be elongated or compressed so that it can be
adapted to display a much wider range of bracelets. As shown in FIG. 12,
the full lines illustrate the normal shape of holder 4 and phantom lines
46 and 48 illustrate holder 4 compressed and elongated, respectively, the
deformation being achievable because of the use of Hi Impact ABS. ABS is
the generic name for certain thermoplastic polymers which are fully
described in MODERN PLASTICS ENCYCLOPEDIA 1985-1986 at pages 6 and 7.
While the invention has been described with collar leg 6 being fixedly
secured to holder 4, it is within the scope of the invention to make such
collar leg releasably engageable to holder 4 so that different collar legs
6, having different orientations can be attached to holder 4 and thereby
obtain a different set of orientations for the base with respect to the
holder, thereby permitting much greater versatility in mounting the
display on whatever surface may be best available for display.
It will be appreciated that while the present invention has been described
with reference to specific and preferred embodiments thereof, this is not
done by way of limitation, and various modifications will suggest
themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art which fall within the
spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended
claims. For example, the foot pin 8 and foot pin receiving aperture 20
have been described herein as having a substantially square cross section.
However, numerous complementary geometric shapes can be incorporated.
Thus, cylindrical foot pin 8 can mate snugly with a cylindrical foot pin
receiving aperture 20. In this manner, the collar 2 would be rotatably
positionable at any unencumbered angle relative to the detachable modular
base member 14. Similarly, the foot pin 8 and foot pin receiving aperture
20 can be triangular, rectangular, or polygonal. The sign holder tongue 12
and complementary slot receptacles for the sign holder tongue can also be
made rectangular, circular or polygonal as long as the shapes are
complementary and still be within the spirit of the invention. The modular
sign holder 22 has also been described as rectangular, but can be formed
into other geometric shapes as well, such as circular or polygonal.
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